[tightTights]

Hey everyone,

First time on here!

I am looking for some advice from those who are more experienced than I when it comes to fitting a bicycle. I recently came across a deal while searching for a gravel bike that I could not turn down. This is a Specialized Diverge Elite E5 that I picked up for about $1400. My issue is this, I am 6ft flat with an inseam of about 32" and this bike's frame is a size 61. After going for my first ride, things felt fine but just a pinch too large. I have not adjusted anything yet. Should I try to get this bike to fit me, or should I return this and look for something more fitting?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Kerry Irons]

Hey everyone,

First time on here!

I am looking for some advice from those who are more experienced than I when it comes to fitting a bicycle. I recently came across a deal while searching for a gravel bike that I could not turn down. This is a Specialized Diverge Elite E5 that I picked up for about $1400. My issue is this, I am 6ft flat with an inseam of about 32" and this bike's frame is a size 61. After going for my first ride, things felt fine but just a pinch too large. I have not adjusted anything yet. Should I try to get this bike to fit me, or should I return this and look for something more fitting?

Thanks everyone!

Cross check as to how the frame is actually measured. In the old days, a 61 cm frame measured center to top of the seat lug might be a close fit for someone 6' tall. But if it was measured center to center, then that's 2-3 cm bigger than a frame measured center to top. That said, a cycling inseam of 32" is pretty short for someone 6' tall. To measure your cycling inseam, pressure a book into your crotch when standing with your feet about a foot apart. Measure from the book to the floor.

 

[tightTights]

Cross check as to how the frame is actually measured. In the old days, a 61 cm frame measured center to top of the seat lug might be a close fit for someone 6' tall. But if it was measured center to center, then that's 2-3 cm bigger than a frame measured center to top. That said, a cycling inseam of 32" is pretty short for someone 6' tall. To measure your cycling inseam, pressure a book into your crotch when standing with your feet about a foot apart. Measure from the book to the floor.

I would say I am 34.5" for the cycling inseam from a quick measure.

Measuring from the seat tube to the crank axle, I got 22.5" or ~57cm

 

[ogre]

I'm 6 ft with 32 inch inseam. That sounds way big to me. My gravel/greenway/road bikes are 55/56/58 cm, with stems between 100 and 120 mm.

But now you're saying you have a 4cm smaller frame and your inseam is 2.5 inches more???

 

[Lombard]

I would say I am 34.5" for the cycling inseam from a quick measure.

Measuring from the seat tube to the crank axle, I got 22.5" or ~57cm

Is this with shoes off?

61 sounds too big for you. I would guess your size to be closer to a 58. Getting a wrong size bike to fit is a fools errand.

How much distance is there between your crotch and the top tube?

 

[tightTights]

I'm 6 ft with 32 inch inseam. That sounds way big to me. My gravel/greenway/road bikes are 55/56/58 cm, with stems between 100 and 120 mm.

But now you're saying you have a 4cm smaller frame and your inseam is 2.5 inches more???

The measurement on the bike says 61, but measuring from the top of the seat tube to the crank axle I got 57cm. I could be doing something incorrect keep in mind.
The 32 came from the pant size I typically wear, vs measuring using the method Kerry had mentioned.

 

[tightTights]

Is this with shoes off?

61 sounds too big for you. I would guess your size to be closer to a 58. Getting a wrong size bike to fit is a fools errand.

How much distance is there between your crotch and the top tube?

Shoes off yes.

There is pretty minimal room between myself and the top tube when standing, but I am able to flat foot without completely bottoming out. I wouldn't say more than an inch or so of space.

 

[tlg]

I recently came across a deal while searching for a gravel bike that I could not turn down.

It's a horrible deal if the bike doesn't fit you.

The 61 is the LARGEST size Diverge. There's simply no way a size 61 is going to fit someone 6ft tall.

There is pretty minimal room between myself and the top tube when standing, but I am able to flat foot without completely bottoming out.

This is a meaningless metric for fitting a bike.

 

[Peter P.]

If the numbers you provide are correct then I agree, the bike is too large for you.

A 56 would be a tad small, but a 58, according to the chart provided by tlg above, would be too
long in the top tube. Try a 56, and max out the stem height (i.e., don't remove spacers or cut
the steerer.).

 

[Lombard]

If the numbers you provide are correct then I agree, the bike is too large for you.

A 56 would be a tad small, but a 58, according to the chart provided by tlg above, would be too
long in the top tube. Try a 56, and max out the stem height (i.e., don't remove spacers or cut
the steerer.).

I'm 5'9" 1/2 and ride a 56. A 56 would be too small for someone 6 ft unless you like a very aggressive race position.

A 58 is more like your correct size.

 

[Peter P.]

I'm 5'9" 1/2 and ride a 56. A 56 would be too small for someone 6 ft unless you like a very aggressive race position.

A 58 is more like your correct size.

I was going to suggest a 58 but the top tube on the 58 is somewhat long. I based my decision on his inseam first, then considered his height. I think he should try both sizes.

 

[tightTights]

Hey everyone, just wanted to dump an update here.

I ended up returning the diverge and going to a Salsa Journeyer apex 1 with a frame size 57. This feels much more appropriate and I can feel the difference much more now.

Thanks for everyone who had replied!